You can probably tell from the fact that we have called our company ‘The Fair Trade Furniture Co Ltd’ that Fair Trade is pretty fundamental to our beliefs and values.

Specifically, we believe that the Fair Trade principles can be applied just as well to furniture as to those smaller craft items and food products for which Fair Trade is now more famous. We are full members of The World Fair Trade Organisation, a global body which now provides an independently-certified guarantee system that Fair Trade has been applied from supplier through to the customer.

You can find out more more about this excellent organisation at:www.wfto.com

The ten WFTO principles of Fair Trade to which we have signed up are summarised below:

1. Use trade to reduce poverty, creating opportunities for economically disadvantaged producers
2. Operate with transparency and accountability
3. Trading practices which emphasise the well-being of producers
4. Payment of a fair price, set by the producer
5. No child or forced labour
6. Encourage equal opportunity, non-discrimination and freedom of association
7. Ensure safe and healthy working conditions
8. Focus on building the capacity of suppliers
9. Active promotion of Fair Trade
10. Commitment to the environment, and sustainable practices.

As our partner Deddy Heriyanto puts it:“We feel like we have a brother overseas. We have partners who give respect to us even though we are small business. We feel our works are appreciated in a proper way. Thank you very much.”